Elderly Care in Indian Knowledge Systems and Traditional Knowledge Systems

Abstract

Elderly care has been a central concern in both Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS), which emphasize holistic well-being, intergenerational responsibility, and community-based living. Rooted in philosophical, spiritual, and ethical frameworks, these systems perceive the elderly not merely as dependents but as carriers of wisdom, cultural continuity, and moral guidance. Ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and Dharmashastras highlight seva (service), shraddha (respect), and guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition) as integral to elder care, while Ayurveda prescribes lifestyle practices and therapies to ensure healthy aging. Traditional community structures like the joint family system, panchayat networks, and indigenous healing practices further demonstrate sustainable models of care that balance material support with emotional and spiritual well-being. In the contemporary context of rapid urbanization, nuclear families, and globalized lifestyles, these indigenous frameworks offer valuable insights for developing integrative models of elderly care that combine medical, psychological, and socio-cultural dimensions. Revitalizing these knowledge systems through policy, research, and social practice can help create inclusive and compassionate frameworks of care for the aging population, ensuring dignity, respect, and intergenerational harmony.